WBC SAYS TACONING TO LAUNCH TERRIFIC CHALLENGE FOR LIGHT FLYWEIGHT TITLE
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 29 Jun 2016
The World Boxing Council says that in a battle of southpaws, Filipino KO artist, 29 year old Jonathan ?Lightning? Taconing is coming to Arena Coliseo, near to Mexico City to launch a terrific challenge, as number one contender against the 34 year old WBC light flyweight champion Ganigan ?El Maravilla? Lopez, this Saturday.
It is expected to be the very toughest Ganigan could have chosen for his first title defense.
The Mexican won the title from Japan?s Yu Kimura in Kyoto last March 4 by a majority decision in a fight that appeared to be strange in terms of the scorecards.
While Cathy Leonard scored it 119-109 for Ganigan Lopez and Tex Ritter also had the Mexican the winner 118-110, Mexican judge Juan Carlos Pelayo had it even at 114-114.
At the weekly World Boxing Council press conference in Mexico City's Zona Rosa, Ganigan, smiled and waved as he greeted Taconing who was sitting across the other side of the room, accompanied by promoter Johnny Elorde of the famous Elorde family.
Also in Mexico were Johnny?s wife Liza and two sons Miguel and Martin who are both regional boxing champions.
The WBC reported ?there was palpable tension in the office, which was jam packed with dozens of reporters, photographers and TV cameras.?
Taconing who has a record of 22-2-1 with 18 knockouts thanked the WBC and its President Mauricio Sulaiman for this opportunity. He explained he's been ?carefully studying the way Ganigan moves and fights. And warned if Ganigan, evades and tries to box, he'll definitely go after him.?
Taconing said Mexico City's altitude affected him only for the first day, and he's now attuned to it as well as acclimatized to the weather.
Ganigan whose record isn?t as impressive as Taconings with 6 defeats against 27 wins with 17 knockouts praised Taconing as ?a worthy and powerful opponent but stressed he himself has trained to peak condition.?
Ganigan said it's taken him his entire life to win a coveted WBC belt, so he vows he's going to keep it!
Former WBC light flyweight champion Pedro Guevara who was at the press conference said while Taconing has power, Ganigan is ?stylish, accomplished and very determined.?
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
GM Antonio outwits Kazakh GM, shares lead
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 26 Oct 2025Pedro Taduran Defends IBF 105 Belt Against Christian Balunan Sunday
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 25 Oct 2025DAVID ALCAIDE CROWNED INAUGURAL PHILIPPINES OPEN CHAMPION
Sat, 25 Oct 2025Bryce Mills vs. James Bernadin Venue Changed: Randolph House Hotel & Convention Center Will Host Pro/Am Card in Liverpool, New York
Sat, 25 Oct 2025Parker vs. Wardley: Who Will Keep Winning Streak Alive?
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 25 Oct 2025Dante “The Inferno” Kirkman Stays Undefeated with Second-Round TKO in Southern California Debut
Sat, 25 Oct 2025Elmo Traya, Reymond Yanong, Ivan Ognayon in Action in Brico Santig's Show Today in Thailand, LIVE on TrillerTV
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 25 Oct 2025Alessio Bisutti Fights for WBF Heavyweight World Title in Highland Show October 25 in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 25 Oct 2025WEIGHTS FROM NIGHT OF KNOCKOUTS XXXVI AT MOTORCITY CASINO HOTEL TONIGHT IN DOWNTOWN DETROIT
Sat, 25 Oct 202530 people arrested in NBA gambling operation
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 25 Oct 2025GM Joey beats CM Marc in Italy World Senior Standard chess tourney to climb at 2nd place
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 25 Oct 2025RomyMac’s Ali memories
By Joaquin Henson, Fri, 24 Oct 2025NBA Daily: Warriors Survive Gordon’s 50 to Beat Nuggets in Overtime 137-131
By Reylan Loberternos, Fri, 24 Oct 2025Grandmaster Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. wins world seniors blitz title in Italy
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 24 Oct 2025Russian athlete, first winner of 8 medals in a single Olympic Games, dies
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 24 Oct 2025